Inspiring others one day at a time, West African actress Sia Foryoh!

Making her home country of West Africa proud, actress Sia Foryoh talks in depth with Celebrity Talk Australia and shares her inspiring words to others!

Please introduce yourself to the readers:

Hello, my name is Sia Foryoh, originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa raised in Senegal, UK and Canada. I am now based in Los Angeles. Ohh ya! and I love to eat A-lot 🙂 lol

How and when did you first get into performing?

As an only child, I was always performing because I had no one else to play with. I would watch movies and a lot of television shows (Titanic, Full House, Cosby Show, Smash, Little House on the Prairie, just to name a few) Upon graduating high school and attending University is when I realized that I could make a living from acting. I did not realize how difficult and how all the odds would be against me in the entertainment industry. So I dropped out of University, applied to acting school In Vancouver, Canada, packed my things and left my family. I then received a scholarship to attend a film/acting school In Los Angeles, So Once again I packed everything up and moved to America.

Who were some of your biggest inspirations?

Wow! this is a tough one. Daniel Day Lewis, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Leonardo Di Caprio. The list goes on. These actors inspire me because they play different characters, that I truly believe every time I watch their movies. They are not playing the same “type-cast” roles that Hollywood tries to box actors in, yet they go against what they are told and play characters we never expect them to play. They push the boundaries and have paved the path for me to also play different characters and not specifically just the “Black Girl” but I can be the girl next door, the killer, the business woman and even the lead in a major motion picture.

What kind of training have you had, if any?

The schools I attend taught me the different types of techniques that actors use. like Meisner, Stanslavski, Method acting and so forth. I have also had the blessing to learn from Anthony Vincent Bova and Tom Todoroff.

What has been your favorite role to play so far?

That is a tough question. I love all my roles because I get to pick them and fight until I get them. My favorite would be a tie between Ginger in Total Truth and Karen In ER: The Resurrection Stage Play. Ginger is a tough woman who has gone through abuse, betrayal, and just beaten down by everyone around her. But she finds the strength to survive and provide a life she wants even though what she has to do is not a good thing. Watch the web-series on Youtube to find out what she has to do 🙂 And Karen is a comedic African Nurse, who works at a run down hospital in the hood.

What has been one of your biggest achievements in your career so far?

Working with James Franco’s & his team from Rabbit Bandini, unfortunately I can not speak more on this because the project is still in production. I just finished recording a few voices for a video game coming out. Unfortunately I can not say much about this project either. Seeing my face on a Direct Relief commercial and also working on a commercial with Usher. Also, seeing my face on People magazine next to Usher has been amazing!

What projects do you have coming up?

My Play ER: The Resurrection Stage Play, The Web series with Rabbit Bandini, The Voice Over for the Video Game and two Feature Films.

Who would be your ideal co-star and why?

My ideal co-star would be Will Smith. That man is the definition of motivation and inspiration. The screen will not be able to handle two sexy people hahahhaha. Also, we would both compliment each other and I believe he would be great to work with.

What are your plans for the future?

To start creating my own projects. My ten year plan is 7 major worldwide movies, 5 major commercials and 3 TV shows. I also want to work with Angelina Jolie and George Clooney for UNICEF. I come from a war torn country, so giving back and helping those who are going through the same thing I went through when I was a child, is VERY important to me.

What is your advice to aspiring performers?

Never give up and work hard! Not just so people notice you, but to do it for yourself! It will amaze you how far you can stretch your limits. Do not listen to anyone who tells you it’s impossible, because if you did, then the world is losing out on something big. Look at all the greatest people who have helped make our lives “easier” they never listened to the negative things people said. Keep your loved ones close to your heart because there are days when you want to give up but they will be there for you. Always have that friend that is not afraid to be honest with you even if its hard, Trust me, in this industry you will need it, because a lot of people will lie to you! Also, enjoy the journey and don’t forget to eat lol! Seriously, your days will get hectic and you will forget!